Tsarina Esra
Brouwerij De Molen
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- From:
- Brouwerij De Molen
- Netherlands
- Style:
- Porter - Baltic
Ranked #20 - ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 93
Ranked #4,001 - Avg:
- 4.17 | pDev: 8.39%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jun 06, 2022
- Added:
- Feb 11, 2008
- Wants:
- 46
- Gots:
- 43
SCORE
93
Outstanding
93
Outstanding
Notes:
Tsarina Esra is an imperial porter. A style with his roots in England from many ages ago. It's fullness, it's richness in flavor and it's warming feeling makes it perfect for cold nights. Because of the enduring barrel aging in Ardbeg whisky barrels, this edition is enriched with crazy (really!) peat flavours. It was injected with Brett while in the barrels. Flavor indication: Chocolate, liquorice, funky peaty
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
2.44/5 rDev -41.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
by retry4z from California
Nose dark heavy roast with a bit of char and very dark dark chocolate, mild alcohol, rich prune and fig dark fruits, raisin, cocoa.
Taste more heavy rich malts, dark roasty malts with some coffee, dark chocolate again as well as cocoa powder and chocolate syrup, mild dark fruits with a bit of raisin and fig.
Mouth is full bod, rich, thick, low almost no carbonation, but not too bad for an 8-year-old beer. Does not feel like 11% but could not finish it due to the soapy flavor.
Overall nice fruits on the nose, great chocolate all around, but lack of carbonation and soapy aftertaste made this a miss for me, but tastes like an aged old Imperial Baltic Porter.
Jun 06, 2022
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
by retry4z from California
Nose dark heavy roast with a bit of char and very dark dark chocolate, mild alcohol, rich prune and fig dark fruits, raisin, cocoa.
Taste more heavy rich malts, dark roasty malts with some coffee, dark chocolate again as well as cocoa powder and chocolate syrup, mild dark fruits with a bit of raisin and fig.
Mouth is full bod, rich, thick, low almost no carbonation, but not too bad for an 8-year-old beer. Does not feel like 11% but could not finish it due to the soapy flavor.
Overall nice fruits on the nose, great chocolate all around, but lack of carbonation and soapy aftertaste made this a miss for me, but tastes like an aged old Imperial Baltic Porter.
Jun 06, 2022
3.72/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by tobelerone from New Jersey
2014 bottle, unfortunately didn’t hold up all that well. Mostly still and watery, lacking the heft that might make the lack of carbonation agreeable. Has appealing chocolate and peat aromas and flavors but an astringent bitter finish. Love De Molen but this isn’t one of their better efforts, not at least this long into aging.
Apr 03, 2022
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by tobelerone from New Jersey
2014 bottle, unfortunately didn’t hold up all that well. Mostly still and watery, lacking the heft that might make the lack of carbonation agreeable. Has appealing chocolate and peat aromas and flavors but an astringent bitter finish. Love De Molen but this isn’t one of their better efforts, not at least this long into aging.
Apr 03, 2022
4.09/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Bottled 19/05/15 (not sure if year is 19 or 15)
Pours no head, but pitch black semi thick with decent legs
Nose dark heavy roast with a bit of char and very dark dark chocolate, mild peppery-peppermint alcohol, rich prune and fig dark fruits, raisin rum, cocoa powder, a bit of cookie dough, and mild winey oxidation with hint of paper
Taste more heavy rich malts, dark roasty malts with some coffee and hint of char, very dark chocolate again as well as cocoa powder and chocolate syrup, some oxidation notes again with a little paper but wine-port-like, a bit of bitterness from touch of hop and the roast, baker's chocolate, into mild dark fruits with a bit of raisin and fig, candied versions, chewy dark chocolate
Mouth is full bod, rich, thick, low almost no carb but not too bad for an aged beer, alcohol is smooth
Overall nice, love the fruits on the nose, great chocolate all around, oxidation was decent but lack of carbonation was not as great, but tastes like an aged old Imperial Baltic Porter
Mar 21, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Bottled 19/05/15 (not sure if year is 19 or 15)
Pours no head, but pitch black semi thick with decent legs
Nose dark heavy roast with a bit of char and very dark dark chocolate, mild peppery-peppermint alcohol, rich prune and fig dark fruits, raisin rum, cocoa powder, a bit of cookie dough, and mild winey oxidation with hint of paper
Taste more heavy rich malts, dark roasty malts with some coffee and hint of char, very dark chocolate again as well as cocoa powder and chocolate syrup, some oxidation notes again with a little paper but wine-port-like, a bit of bitterness from touch of hop and the roast, baker's chocolate, into mild dark fruits with a bit of raisin and fig, candied versions, chewy dark chocolate
Mouth is full bod, rich, thick, low almost no carb but not too bad for an aged beer, alcohol is smooth
Overall nice, love the fruits on the nose, great chocolate all around, oxidation was decent but lack of carbonation was not as great, but tastes like an aged old Imperial Baltic Porter
Mar 21, 2022
4.19/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by SABERG from Massachusetts
Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle, vintage 2012 into the Harpoon Leviathan glass.
A - Chalkboard black color, a thin offwhite cap starts to assemble, decides to give up. Reassembling into a thin off white ring during the remaing time.
S - Blackberry reduction, fig, dark chocolate, cigar wrap tobacco. Hints of dark toast, char, black licorice
T - As complex as the nose, with the bulk being focused on the chocolate, blackberry. Madagascar chocolate 70+% is the closest comparison. Fig stops in for a bit then moves on. With a little rise in Temperature the tobacco and lite char take the stage a bit.
M - Luxurious, simply luxurious. Silky smooth, hefty on the palate desert wine in body, silky smooth, sweet start moves to center and stays there. Fully coated palate is treated to the slightest hop bite. Finishing as it sarted slightly sweet and lingering forever.
O - A spectacular treat , rich and full, slick but not overbearing. Cocoa, dark fruit and a complex aromatic thread all add up to a real treasure
Mar 13, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by SABERG from Massachusetts
Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle, vintage 2012 into the Harpoon Leviathan glass.
A - Chalkboard black color, a thin offwhite cap starts to assemble, decides to give up. Reassembling into a thin off white ring during the remaing time.
S - Blackberry reduction, fig, dark chocolate, cigar wrap tobacco. Hints of dark toast, char, black licorice
T - As complex as the nose, with the bulk being focused on the chocolate, blackberry. Madagascar chocolate 70+% is the closest comparison. Fig stops in for a bit then moves on. With a little rise in Temperature the tobacco and lite char take the stage a bit.
M - Luxurious, simply luxurious. Silky smooth, hefty on the palate desert wine in body, silky smooth, sweet start moves to center and stays there. Fully coated palate is treated to the slightest hop bite. Finishing as it sarted slightly sweet and lingering forever.
O - A spectacular treat , rich and full, slick but not overbearing. Cocoa, dark fruit and a complex aromatic thread all add up to a real treasure
Mar 13, 2021
3.97/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by ralozelle from California
Appearance is a surprise, motor-oil brown but relatively translucent, less opaque than expected. Nose pulls more towards grain than anything caramelized, think raw walnut. Palate is wonderfully lifted, doesn't show the weight of 11% abv, though toffee beings to take over taste wise. More carbonated mouthfeel than expected.
Overall an darker, imperial-style beer you could happily drink on a Summer day.
Feb 04, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by ralozelle from California
Appearance is a surprise, motor-oil brown but relatively translucent, less opaque than expected. Nose pulls more towards grain than anything caramelized, think raw walnut. Palate is wonderfully lifted, doesn't show the weight of 11% abv, though toffee beings to take over taste wise. More carbonated mouthfeel than expected.
Overall an darker, imperial-style beer you could happily drink on a Summer day.
Feb 04, 2021
4.62 by DvdP from Netherlands on Dec 13, 2020
4.28 by OregonGrown7 from Oregon on Nov 26, 2020
4.35/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by JonnoWillsteed from England
Lable is now simply black and white, my bottle is 10.1% ABV. Lable states style as 'Imperial Porter-ish'
L- Extremely dark ruby-red when held up to a halogen. Clear/filtered, zero sediment in pour or bottle. Pours with 2mm mid-tan head, good going for this high an ABV%.
S- Deep fruit notes, but preserved fruits, specifically preserved figs come to mind (the kind we used to eat at the Xmas table). There is also a slightly vinious note - wine-barrel aged?
T- Deeeep malts, beautifully sustained rich/zingy (ABV instead of hops) punchy taste that just holds and holds... wow. At this point if there is wine-barrel ageing it's lost into the big and pungent mix - fine by me the whole is luscious.
F- What a refined and polished gem this is. You just know it's a beast but it's so 'polite and subtle' about it.
O- Absolutely delicious. Would be great in place of a dessert wine after a meal. Great at Xmas time, great in winter. This is so good it coule be habit forming. ... Just suggested to my wife that once Covid is over we go and visit this brewery, the things they brew!...
330ml bottle, £4.80 bought from TremblingMadness/York as part of a couple of mixed cases for home delivery to London. BB: off in 2045!
Nov 21, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by JonnoWillsteed from England
Lable is now simply black and white, my bottle is 10.1% ABV. Lable states style as 'Imperial Porter-ish'
L- Extremely dark ruby-red when held up to a halogen. Clear/filtered, zero sediment in pour or bottle. Pours with 2mm mid-tan head, good going for this high an ABV%.
S- Deep fruit notes, but preserved fruits, specifically preserved figs come to mind (the kind we used to eat at the Xmas table). There is also a slightly vinious note - wine-barrel aged?
T- Deeeep malts, beautifully sustained rich/zingy (ABV instead of hops) punchy taste that just holds and holds... wow. At this point if there is wine-barrel ageing it's lost into the big and pungent mix - fine by me the whole is luscious.
F- What a refined and polished gem this is. You just know it's a beast but it's so 'polite and subtle' about it.
O- Absolutely delicious. Would be great in place of a dessert wine after a meal. Great at Xmas time, great in winter. This is so good it coule be habit forming. ... Just suggested to my wife that once Covid is over we go and visit this brewery, the things they brew!...
330ml bottle, £4.80 bought from TremblingMadness/York as part of a couple of mixed cases for home delivery to London. BB: off in 2045!
Nov 21, 2020
3.95/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
330 ml bottle, dated May 19, 2015. Says drink within 25 years, so the about 5 years of age seems appropriate.
Pours a very dark brown, but not quite pitch black. Thin tan colored head that fades to nothing. Aroma and taste of dark molasses, black cherry, a bit of smoke and licorice. Not much roast flavor at all. But not overly sweet. Medium bodied, lower carbonation.
Apr 04, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
330 ml bottle, dated May 19, 2015. Says drink within 25 years, so the about 5 years of age seems appropriate.
Pours a very dark brown, but not quite pitch black. Thin tan colored head that fades to nothing. Aroma and taste of dark molasses, black cherry, a bit of smoke and licorice. Not much roast flavor at all. But not overly sweet. Medium bodied, lower carbonation.
Apr 04, 2020
4.15 by HopBelT from Belgium on Oct 31, 2019
4.38 by arzt from Germany on Oct 07, 2019
3.73/5 rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Zraly from Virginia
Brewed in 2016. Pour jet black with a mocha head. Nose is roasted malts. Fruit and roast dominate the flavor profile with a hint of anise and cocoa. Tobacco. A bit of oxidation. Drink by 2041! Overall quite smooth and leathery.
May 17, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Zraly from Virginia
Brewed in 2016. Pour jet black with a mocha head. Nose is roasted malts. Fruit and roast dominate the flavor profile with a hint of anise and cocoa. Tobacco. A bit of oxidation. Drink by 2041! Overall quite smooth and leathery.
May 17, 2019
4.25/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by StupidToad from Netherlands
I realize I gave this 4.25 across the board. Very consist in every regard. Billed as an Imperial Porter. On draft in Amsterdam. Black chocolate pervades this beer. The nose has an amazing creamy dark chocolate character - is even possible? The nutty/roasty malts are a great bitter counterpoint to the full maltiness. Excellent beer.
Mar 28, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by StupidToad from Netherlands
I realize I gave this 4.25 across the board. Very consist in every regard. Billed as an Imperial Porter. On draft in Amsterdam. Black chocolate pervades this beer. The nose has an amazing creamy dark chocolate character - is even possible? The nutty/roasty malts are a great bitter counterpoint to the full maltiness. Excellent beer.
Mar 28, 2019
4.09/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Baldpacker from Canada (AB)
Bottled in 2017 - the 10.1% ABV, 383 EBC, 93 EBU version of this beer (white / black label).
A: Dark dark beer. Thin head.
S: Wow. Sweet, prune, berries w/ a hint of leather/earthy/alcohol.
T: First impression - much more bitterness and nibs than expected from the nose. On subsequent sips, more caramel, smokiness, chocolate, prune, and chocolate come through. While there are subtle prune and fruit/cherry flavours, nowhere near as much as I'd expect off the nose. The finish is of sweetness and alcohol with a bit of dryness that encourages the next sip. A more complex beer than I expected with a touch more bitterness and alcohol than I would have though.
F: Very smooth with light carbonation.
O: A tasty beer no doubt and certainly a good representation of a Belgian-influenced Imperial Porter.
I'd love to age a bottle for 10+ years to see what happens. If a bit from of the fruitiness from the nose came through in the taste this would be an epic brew.
Mar 28, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Baldpacker from Canada (AB)
Bottled in 2017 - the 10.1% ABV, 383 EBC, 93 EBU version of this beer (white / black label).
A: Dark dark beer. Thin head.
S: Wow. Sweet, prune, berries w/ a hint of leather/earthy/alcohol.
T: First impression - much more bitterness and nibs than expected from the nose. On subsequent sips, more caramel, smokiness, chocolate, prune, and chocolate come through. While there are subtle prune and fruit/cherry flavours, nowhere near as much as I'd expect off the nose. The finish is of sweetness and alcohol with a bit of dryness that encourages the next sip. A more complex beer than I expected with a touch more bitterness and alcohol than I would have though.
F: Very smooth with light carbonation.
O: A tasty beer no doubt and certainly a good representation of a Belgian-influenced Imperial Porter.
I'd love to age a bottle for 10+ years to see what happens. If a bit from of the fruitiness from the nose came through in the taste this would be an epic brew.
Mar 28, 2019
4.1/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Brutaltruth from Ohio
From the 11.2 oz bottle in a snifter. This decent baltic pours a rich
deep and dark brownish black with cola highlights and a decent
head of off white foam that settles to a big bubbled ring and very thin
foam layer with subtle lacing. Nose of chocolate, coffee, dark fruits,
toffee, and sweet brown sugars. Flavors subtly exceed the nose with
dried cherries that mingle with chocolate malts and a touch of coffee
amongst hints of coffee and brown sugars. Decent mouth feel;
medium full body, smooth, rich, nice roasted elements that lend
to the low carbonation, and a rich moderately sweet and
lightly dry finish.
Overall, I have never had a bad brew form this brewery, and this
one impresses all the same.
Nice
Cheers
Feb 16, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Brutaltruth from Ohio
From the 11.2 oz bottle in a snifter. This decent baltic pours a rich
deep and dark brownish black with cola highlights and a decent
head of off white foam that settles to a big bubbled ring and very thin
foam layer with subtle lacing. Nose of chocolate, coffee, dark fruits,
toffee, and sweet brown sugars. Flavors subtly exceed the nose with
dried cherries that mingle with chocolate malts and a touch of coffee
amongst hints of coffee and brown sugars. Decent mouth feel;
medium full body, smooth, rich, nice roasted elements that lend
to the low carbonation, and a rich moderately sweet and
lightly dry finish.
Overall, I have never had a bad brew form this brewery, and this
one impresses all the same.
Nice
Cheers
Feb 16, 2019
3.54/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by janubio from Spain
Bottle at Echarle Huevos. Pours a black colour, medium head with long retention, compact lacing. Aroma of dried fruits, chocolate, vanilla, liquor. Full body, creamy dense texture, good carbonation. Sweet finish. Taste is similar to the aroma. Alcohol is not much noticeable. Good.
Feb 11, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by janubio from Spain
Bottle at Echarle Huevos. Pours a black colour, medium head with long retention, compact lacing. Aroma of dried fruits, chocolate, vanilla, liquor. Full body, creamy dense texture, good carbonation. Sweet finish. Taste is similar to the aroma. Alcohol is not much noticeable. Good.
Feb 11, 2019
4.04 by 22Blue from Kansas on Jan 12, 2019
4 by Dutchcraftbeergeek from Netherlands on Jul 30, 2018
4.11/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by LiquidAmber from Washington
Poured from a 2015 bottle with unknown storage history (but "fresh" into the Seattle market) into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque black in the glass with a thin khaki head that dissipates to patches with slight lacing. Aroma of dark toasted and biscuit malt, cocoa, mild fresh and dried plums, a hint of vanilla. Flavor is dark, lightly toasted and dry biscuit malt, light fresh and dried plum, hints of dates and cocoa; flavor thins out a little into the finish with light oxidation notes. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess and good mouth feel and carbonation. Flavor profile is classic Baltic porter, with a little old ale maltiness along with darker stout malt and the pleasant dark stone fruit that makes this style so interesting. Hits all the notes I hope for in a Baltic porter, but perhaps a little subdued. Some flavors seem a little tired and there are distinct light oxidation, so I'm glad I didn't have this which much more age on it. It held up to aging well, particularly because this has been warehoused under unknown conditions rather than cellared. I'm less and less happy with Shelton Bros. Offerings in the Northwest and I'm increasingly thinking we often get warehouse bloat rather than fresh imported offerings. Why wasn't this distributed in 2015? I like some age on big porters and stouts, but think the proper storage conditions are important. This is a nice Baltic porter and I hope someday I can try a fresh one for comparison.
Jul 10, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by LiquidAmber from Washington
Poured from a 2015 bottle with unknown storage history (but "fresh" into the Seattle market) into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque black in the glass with a thin khaki head that dissipates to patches with slight lacing. Aroma of dark toasted and biscuit malt, cocoa, mild fresh and dried plums, a hint of vanilla. Flavor is dark, lightly toasted and dry biscuit malt, light fresh and dried plum, hints of dates and cocoa; flavor thins out a little into the finish with light oxidation notes. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess and good mouth feel and carbonation. Flavor profile is classic Baltic porter, with a little old ale maltiness along with darker stout malt and the pleasant dark stone fruit that makes this style so interesting. Hits all the notes I hope for in a Baltic porter, but perhaps a little subdued. Some flavors seem a little tired and there are distinct light oxidation, so I'm glad I didn't have this which much more age on it. It held up to aging well, particularly because this has been warehoused under unknown conditions rather than cellared. I'm less and less happy with Shelton Bros. Offerings in the Northwest and I'm increasingly thinking we often get warehouse bloat rather than fresh imported offerings. Why wasn't this distributed in 2015? I like some age on big porters and stouts, but think the proper storage conditions are important. This is a nice Baltic porter and I hope someday I can try a fresh one for comparison.
Jul 10, 2018
4.19/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by qrazvan from Romania
Nice dark brown colour, with a medium head that quickly disappears.
Caramel and coffee smell.
The taste is mainly sweet, with coffee and roasted barley, caramel, dried plums and woody notes at the end. Dry aftertaste.
A good imperial porter, with 10.1% alcohol (at least the 2017 version). Funny expiration date: 2042! :)
Jun 27, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by qrazvan from Romania
Nice dark brown colour, with a medium head that quickly disappears.
Caramel and coffee smell.
The taste is mainly sweet, with coffee and roasted barley, caramel, dried plums and woody notes at the end. Dry aftertaste.
A good imperial porter, with 10.1% alcohol (at least the 2017 version). Funny expiration date: 2042! :)
Jun 27, 2018
3.92/5 rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Bottled 4/25/14; drank 5/22/18 @ the Yarchives.
Black appearance.
A violent pour yielded almost no tan lace; almost no lace.
Fresh earth, dark chocolate, leather & mild dark cherry notes in the nose.
Flat, medium thick mouthfeel.
Fresh earth, barnyard & leather flavors up front; dark chocolate notes on the finish. No booze heat.
A bit raw for me; almost a manure note in there! However, it ain't boring.
May 23, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Bottled 4/25/14; drank 5/22/18 @ the Yarchives.
Black appearance.
A violent pour yielded almost no tan lace; almost no lace.
Fresh earth, dark chocolate, leather & mild dark cherry notes in the nose.
Flat, medium thick mouthfeel.
Fresh earth, barnyard & leather flavors up front; dark chocolate notes on the finish. No booze heat.
A bit raw for me; almost a manure note in there! However, it ain't boring.
May 23, 2018
4.48 by ------ from Massachusetts on Apr 29, 2018
4.25 by paulish from New York on Mar 28, 2018
4.09 by deereless from Colorado on Dec 19, 2017
4.21 by shelby415 from Oregon on Dec 18, 2017
4.17 by Afeo from Colorado on Dec 05, 2017
4.32 by SayBoom from Ukraine on Sep 19, 2017
4.37/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by MaltyPythonsHopCircus from Canada (BC)
So much chocolate, coffee and vanilla. Finishes with tobacco, leather and a hint of liquorice. Silky smooth mouthfeel with minimal carbonation. Complexity builds as it warms
Jul 15, 2017
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by MaltyPythonsHopCircus from Canada (BC)
So much chocolate, coffee and vanilla. Finishes with tobacco, leather and a hint of liquorice. Silky smooth mouthfeel with minimal carbonation. Complexity builds as it warms
Jul 15, 2017
4.16/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
Poured into a snifter, the appearance was a thick black color with no head nor lacing. The aroma starts off with thick sweet milk and dark chocolate, full and sweet with a nice deep roasty robust coffee bean rolling on into the blend. The flavor takes all of those previously mentioned aromas and adds some black licorice. Semi-sticky sort of sweet and roasty aftertaste with a sly sticky finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a really nice smooth roasty to sweet feel rolling over my tongue. Roasty harshness seems to hit nicely. Overall, really nice Imperial porter that I would have again.
Jul 14, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
Poured into a snifter, the appearance was a thick black color with no head nor lacing. The aroma starts off with thick sweet milk and dark chocolate, full and sweet with a nice deep roasty robust coffee bean rolling on into the blend. The flavor takes all of those previously mentioned aromas and adds some black licorice. Semi-sticky sort of sweet and roasty aftertaste with a sly sticky finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a really nice smooth roasty to sweet feel rolling over my tongue. Roasty harshness seems to hit nicely. Overall, really nice Imperial porter that I would have again.
Jul 14, 2017
4.47 by Epiktetos from Czech Republic on Jul 01, 2017
4.48/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by GreesyFizeek from New York
2014 bottle.
This pours a very dark black, with a fleeting head of just a few bubbles, and a little bit of lacing.
This smells like chocolate chip cookie dough, powdery cocoa powder, raisins, dates, and some vanilla.
There's a lot going on here- it tastes like it has adjuncts in it, but there isn't. I get some creamy vanilla, dark and chocolatey fudge cake, dates, prunes, and raisins. There's a bit of molasses, too. There's not a ton of carbonation after 3 years or so in the bottle, but it doesn't affect this too much.
This is light bodied, but silky and still a bit rich, with a very low level of carbonation.
This is a fantastic beer, and one of the best I've had yet from De Molen.
Jun 11, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by GreesyFizeek from New York
2014 bottle.
This pours a very dark black, with a fleeting head of just a few bubbles, and a little bit of lacing.
This smells like chocolate chip cookie dough, powdery cocoa powder, raisins, dates, and some vanilla.
There's a lot going on here- it tastes like it has adjuncts in it, but there isn't. I get some creamy vanilla, dark and chocolatey fudge cake, dates, prunes, and raisins. There's a bit of molasses, too. There's not a ton of carbonation after 3 years or so in the bottle, but it doesn't affect this too much.
This is light bodied, but silky and still a bit rich, with a very low level of carbonation.
This is a fantastic beer, and one of the best I've had yet from De Molen.
Jun 11, 2017
3.77 by TGS from California on May 11, 2017
4.49 by jroof1 from Massachusetts on Apr 22, 2017
4.49 by Jcarriglio from Florida on Mar 30, 2017
4.16/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Everydayoff from Thailand
330ml bottle poured into a snifter.
Deep opaque brown as a showcase, the pour yields very thin tan foam on the surface that is considered as almost no real head, lots of sticky frothy patch and spot clinging on the glass-side as well as lots of sediment.
Very rich creamy and milky chocolate in a nose together with cocoa powder, fudge, some coffee, licorice, dark fruit, dark bread, roasted, and some smoke. Chocolate here is intense and so enticing.
The taste is deep and rich of roasted malt together with big sugary/chocolaty/molasses sweetness but not that cloying with also a touch of rich chocolate flavor. Suggestions of cocoa powder, coffee, licorice, smoke, as well as dark fruit too in the middle of the way while creamy and dark bready touch draw in providing smoothness through the taste buds.
The body is full but not that much sticky with rather low to moderate carbonation but it is crisp and lively enough to carry well its taste and body under the smooth palate sensation and dry finish. Another solid offering from De Molen, this Imperial Porter is heavily roasted and rich in chocolate.
Jan 08, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Everydayoff from Thailand
330ml bottle poured into a snifter.
Deep opaque brown as a showcase, the pour yields very thin tan foam on the surface that is considered as almost no real head, lots of sticky frothy patch and spot clinging on the glass-side as well as lots of sediment.
Very rich creamy and milky chocolate in a nose together with cocoa powder, fudge, some coffee, licorice, dark fruit, dark bread, roasted, and some smoke. Chocolate here is intense and so enticing.
The taste is deep and rich of roasted malt together with big sugary/chocolaty/molasses sweetness but not that cloying with also a touch of rich chocolate flavor. Suggestions of cocoa powder, coffee, licorice, smoke, as well as dark fruit too in the middle of the way while creamy and dark bready touch draw in providing smoothness through the taste buds.
The body is full but not that much sticky with rather low to moderate carbonation but it is crisp and lively enough to carry well its taste and body under the smooth palate sensation and dry finish. Another solid offering from De Molen, this Imperial Porter is heavily roasted and rich in chocolate.
Jan 08, 2017
3.54 by andpit from Italy on Dec 17, 2016
4.71/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
by Leif_Eriksson from Canada (AB)
Nose: dates, dark fruit, warm spice, smoke, syrup.
Look: 2014 bottle. dark crimson brown. still.
Taste: black liquorice, leather, figs, cigar, heavy, creamy, chewy, chocolate, oak, whiskey.
HUGE flavours.
Nov 30, 2016
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
by Leif_Eriksson from Canada (AB)
Nose: dates, dark fruit, warm spice, smoke, syrup.
Look: 2014 bottle. dark crimson brown. still.
Taste: black liquorice, leather, figs, cigar, heavy, creamy, chewy, chocolate, oak, whiskey.
HUGE flavours.
Nov 30, 2016
4.17/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by BucBasil from Rwanda
Poured from the bottle into a pint glass at Bottoms Up, Jingan in Shanghai China.
A: Almost pure black with a slight cola red at the edges. Almost no head at all aside from a slight fizz at the top.
S: Sweetness, plum, chocolate of course. Faint traces of alcohol.
T: Slight note of roasted coffee, toffee, milk chocolate, brandy, Kahlua
F: Viscous and thick, sticky in the throat and back of mouth
Overall: A bit much. Really good for a bit then overpowering. Tastes good but the thickness gets to you. Good for a try.
Nov 25, 2016
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by BucBasil from Rwanda
Poured from the bottle into a pint glass at Bottoms Up, Jingan in Shanghai China.
A: Almost pure black with a slight cola red at the edges. Almost no head at all aside from a slight fizz at the top.
S: Sweetness, plum, chocolate of course. Faint traces of alcohol.
T: Slight note of roasted coffee, toffee, milk chocolate, brandy, Kahlua
F: Viscous and thick, sticky in the throat and back of mouth
Overall: A bit much. Really good for a bit then overpowering. Tastes good but the thickness gets to you. Good for a try.
Nov 25, 2016
3.61/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by hoptheology from South Dakota
Dark bean brown with no head
Aromas of smoked and slightly rotting meat. Some cocoa malts. Fig. Alcohol prunes. Hints of oxidation.
Metallic bite followed by prunes and jerky, cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses, roast malt, fig. Sticky sweetness throughout.
Feel is surprisingly light for an Imper. Porter, but the stickiness sort of makes up for it. Roasty finish.
Overall reminds me a lot of anchor Porter. A bit stronger though. Worth the $8? Probably not. That's part of my rating here.
Nov 13, 2016
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by hoptheology from South Dakota
Dark bean brown with no head
Aromas of smoked and slightly rotting meat. Some cocoa malts. Fig. Alcohol prunes. Hints of oxidation.
Metallic bite followed by prunes and jerky, cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses, roast malt, fig. Sticky sweetness throughout.
Feel is surprisingly light for an Imper. Porter, but the stickiness sort of makes up for it. Roasty finish.
Overall reminds me a lot of anchor Porter. A bit stronger though. Worth the $8? Probably not. That's part of my rating here.
Nov 13, 2016
4.24/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by BEERchitect from Kentucky
Incredibly deep, dark, complex and robust, no one does roast more than De Molen. Their chocolate porter of the baltic style takes a pedal off of the burnt side but is no less robust or powerful for it. Its cocoa focus is front and center throughout.
Tsarina Esra's ominously dark tar appearance swirls with syrupy legging and capped with a tarnish espresso froth. Rife and dense with the pungent earthiness of true cocoa powder, a coffee-like, fudgy, woodsy and winey fragrance emerges. Burnt sugars galore as the maltiness is remiss of burnt cream and molasses.
With a cocoa-rich fudginess at its core, the porter brings out a heavily toasted, walnut, coffee and chicory-like earthiness as the carbonized sugars begin to lift. Hints of dark fruit and spice follow the roasted cocoa nibs with nuances of red grape, aniseed, blackcurrant, peppercorn, plum skin and robust bordeaux wine. Its woodsy bitterness is easily dismissed for chicory, smoky chocolate or toasted astringency instead of hops, but an herbal cedar note proves otherwise.
Full bodied and mouth-coating with its low-lying carbonation and its lasting sweetness, but the beer's verbose alcohols and powdery tannins aid in dryness while a peppery, woodsy bite continues strong. A long linger of raw cocoa powder and smoldering ember is long and robust even in after-palate in a simmering afterglow of warmth.
Nov 03, 2016
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by BEERchitect from Kentucky
Incredibly deep, dark, complex and robust, no one does roast more than De Molen. Their chocolate porter of the baltic style takes a pedal off of the burnt side but is no less robust or powerful for it. Its cocoa focus is front and center throughout.
Tsarina Esra's ominously dark tar appearance swirls with syrupy legging and capped with a tarnish espresso froth. Rife and dense with the pungent earthiness of true cocoa powder, a coffee-like, fudgy, woodsy and winey fragrance emerges. Burnt sugars galore as the maltiness is remiss of burnt cream and molasses.
With a cocoa-rich fudginess at its core, the porter brings out a heavily toasted, walnut, coffee and chicory-like earthiness as the carbonized sugars begin to lift. Hints of dark fruit and spice follow the roasted cocoa nibs with nuances of red grape, aniseed, blackcurrant, peppercorn, plum skin and robust bordeaux wine. Its woodsy bitterness is easily dismissed for chicory, smoky chocolate or toasted astringency instead of hops, but an herbal cedar note proves otherwise.
Full bodied and mouth-coating with its low-lying carbonation and its lasting sweetness, but the beer's verbose alcohols and powdery tannins aid in dryness while a peppery, woodsy bite continues strong. A long linger of raw cocoa powder and smoldering ember is long and robust even in after-palate in a simmering afterglow of warmth.
Nov 03, 2016
Tsarina Esra from Brouwerij De Molen
Beer rating:
93 out of
100 with
238 ratings